This is exactly why I always recommend getting copies of everything before you hand over your documents to any tax preparer. In your situation, I'd suggest taking immediate action on multiple fronts: First, create an online account at IRS.gov to check your account transcript - this will show you exactly what's been filed under your SSN, including whether that extension was actually submitted. You can also see the status of your 2021 refund there. Second, send that certified letter Max mentioned, but also consider showing up at his office in person if it's local. Sometimes the threat of appearing in person gets preparers to respond when calls and emails don't. Third, start gathering recommendations for a new preparer NOW, even if your current one suddenly resurfaces. The October 15th deadline is approaching fast, and you don't want to be scrambling at the last minute. Look for someone who's an EA or CPA and has good reviews. Finally, document everything - dates of calls, texts sent, voicemails left. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to file complaints or pursue getting your $375 back. You shouldn't have to chase down someone you're paying to provide a service.

I went through something very similar two years ago and it was incredibly stressful. My preparer also filed an extension without telling me and then disappeared when I needed answers. Here's what I learned that might help you: The most important thing is to protect yourself from missing the October 15th deadline. Even if your preparer suddenly reappears, I'd strongly recommend getting a second opinion from another tax professional at this point. You can bring whatever documents you have copies of, and they can help determine what's missing and what needs to be done. One thing that helped me was filing a complaint with my state's consumer protection agency in addition to the tax-related complaints others mentioned. Since you paid $375 for services not properly rendered, this falls under consumer fraud. They often have more resources to help recover fees than the IRS complaint process. Also, if your preparer is part of a larger firm or franchise, contact their corporate office. They take these situations seriously because it affects their reputation and licensing. The silver lining is that you found out about this issue with enough time to take action. I know it feels overwhelming right now, but once you get your documents back and work with a reliable preparer, you'll get through this. Just make sure to keep detailed records of everything for potential reimbursement of penalties or additional preparation fees you might incur.

I dealt with a similar situation after Hurricane Laura damaged my home's electrical system. The key thing that helped me was getting a detailed report from a certified electrician explaining how the power surge was directly caused by the storm's impact on the electrical grid. The IRS agent I spoke with (after calling multiple times) emphasized that you need to establish a clear causal chain between the federally declared disaster and the damage. In my case, the electrician's report specifically stated that the power surge occurred due to electrical grid failures caused by the hurricane, not from normal electrical issues. Also, don't forget to check if your state offers any additional disaster relief programs. Some states have property tax relief or other programs that can help offset costs even if the federal casualty loss deduction doesn't work out due to the AGI limitations. The documentation you gather for the tax deduction can often be used for these other programs too. One more tip - if you do qualify for the deduction, you can actually choose to claim it on either the year the loss occurred or the prior year's return, which might be beneficial depending on your income situation in each year.

I work as a tax preparer and see casualty loss claims fairly often. Your situation definitely has potential, but there are a few key things to focus on: 1. **Timing documentation is crucial** - You'll need to prove the power surge happened as a direct result of the tornado. Utility company reports from that day showing grid failures, local news reports about widespread power issues after the storm, or even social media posts with timestamps can help establish this connection. 2. **Get professional documentation** - As others mentioned, an electrician's written assessment is valuable, but make sure they specifically state that the damage pattern is consistent with power surge damage rather than normal wear/failure. 3. **Check the disaster declaration date carefully** - Make sure your loss occurred during the disaster period. Sometimes there's a specific window, and damage that occurs days later might not qualify even if it's related. 4. **Consider the election timing** - You have until the due date of the return for the year after the loss occurred to make the election to claim it on the prior year's return. So for 2024 losses, you have until April 15, 2026 to decide whether to claim it on 2023 or 2024 returns. The AGI limitation is tough, but if you had lower income in the prior year, that election could make this worthwhile. Even a small deduction is better than none, and the documentation process might help with any future insurance disputes too.

Has anyone tried using TurboTax for Form 1116? I'm having similar issues and wondering if the software handles these situations correctly. My father-in-law has foreign dividends and U.S. capital losses too.

I went through this exact same situation with my elderly parent's taxes last year! The Form 1116 with capital losses is definitely one of the most confusing parts of tax preparation. One thing that really helped me was understanding that the capital loss adjustment on Line 16 is actually protecting you from double-counting losses. Think of it this way: if your mom already reduced her U.S. tax liability with those $33,000 capital losses, the IRS doesn't want her to also get a credit for foreign taxes on income that was essentially "wiped out" by those losses. A few practical tips that made this easier for me: - Keep detailed records of the carryforward amounts each year - you'll need them - The 10-year carryforward period is generous, so don't stress about "losing" the credit - Consider whether bunching foreign income or capital gains/losses in future years might help optimize the credit usage Also, double-check that all the foreign taxes are actually eligible for the credit. Some mutual funds report foreign taxes that don't qualify, which can throw off your calculations. The bright side is that once you get through Form 1116 the first time, subsequent years become much more manageable since you understand the logic behind it!

Something nobody's mentioned - if you're claiming a casualty loss deduction, make sure you adjust your home's tax basis afterward! The amount you deduct should reduce your home's basis, which could affect capital gains when you eventually sell. I learned this the hard way after Hurricane Harvey repairs.

Just a heads up - if you're going to claim this as a casualty loss, make sure you have really solid documentation of the "before" condition of your home. The IRS will want proof that the damage was specifically caused by Hurricane Francine and not pre-existing issues or normal wear and tear. I'd recommend taking detailed photos of all the damage before any repairs start (sounds like you might still have time since the adjuster is coming tomorrow). Also get a written report from the insurance adjuster even though they're not paying - that professional assessment could be crucial if the IRS questions your deduction later. One more thing - consider getting multiple contractor estimates, not just one. Having 2-3 estimates that are reasonably close to each other strengthens your case for the amount you're claiming. The IRS sometimes challenges casualty loss amounts if they think the repair costs seem inflated.

I'm an accountant and see this ISO reporting issue constantly! One thing to watch out for - there's a difference between what goes on Form 3921 vs what gets reported on your taxes. Form 3921 reports the exercise of ISOs, but doesn't necessarily mean you owe taxes right away. You only trigger regular income tax if you sell the shares before meeting holding period requirements (disqualifying disposition). If you held the shares, you'll probably deal with AMT instead. Make sure your 1040-X amendment correctly reflects your actual situation - not just what's on the Form 3921.

I'm dealing with a similar Form 3921 discrepancy right now! One thing that helped me was requesting both the "Wage and Income Transcript" AND the "Account Transcript" from the IRS website. Sometimes corrections show up on one but not the other. Also, when you contact your former employer, try to get someone from their stock plan administration team rather than regular HR or payroll. They're usually more knowledgeable about ISO reporting requirements and can better explain any discrepancies. If you're still getting the runaround from your employer, you might want to ask them specifically if they filed any corrected forms with the IRS after your original Form 3921. Sometimes companies discover errors months later and file corrections without notifying employees. Document everything - save emails, notes from phone calls, etc. The IRS appreciates seeing that you made good faith efforts to resolve discrepancies when reviewing amended returns.